TRENTON, NJ — A new bill introduced in the New Jersey Assembly would launch a $500,000 statewide public awareness campaign to educate parents and guardians on the dangers social media use poses to minors.
Key Points
- Bill A5744 would fund a statewide campaign highlighting social media’s risks to youth mental health
- The Department of Education would develop the initiative in consultation with the Commissioner of Health
- The campaign would roll out within 180 days of enactment and be funded by a $500,000 appropriation
Assembly Bill A5744, sponsored by Assemblymen Chris Tully (D-38) and Herb Conaway Jr. (D-7), mandates the Department of Education to coordinate a media campaign focused on the mental, emotional, and physical risks associated with excessive social media use among adolescents.
The legislation cites a May 2023 advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General, which warned that up to 95% of teens ages 13–17 use social media, with over a third saying they use it “almost constantly.” The advisory also highlighted links between social media usage and increased risks of depression, anxiety, disrupted sleep, and exposure to harmful content.
Media blitz to target wide audience
Under the bill, the awareness effort would reach New Jerseyans through newspapers, radio, television ads, public service announcements, and digital platforms. The campaign would focus on helping parents recognize warning signs and encourage safer social media habits for their children.
The initiative builds on findings from the Commission on the Effects of Social Media Usage on Adolescents, which was established by state law in July 2023 to study the impact of online platforms on youth.
The Department of Education would be authorized to accept grants and donations to support the campaign and must report its progress to the Governor and Legislature within 24 months of the law’s effective date.
If passed, the bill would take effect on the first day of the third month following enactment.
